What were the circumstances surrounding the creation of EnviroLeach?

EnviroLeach was founded in 2016 after developing an alternative chemistry to cyanide for gold processing. Today, EnviroLeach essentially has two divisions: gold production and electronic waste (E-Waste). There are very few compounds that can dissolve gold into liquid. Cyanide and its alternatives break the gold down into a new gold complex or compound. It is then extracted through activated carbon, electrowinning, ion exchange or precipitation. 80% of the gold that is produced today uses vat or heap-leach processing. The EnviroLeach process is designed for vat leaching and the recoveries of our product are superior to that of cyanide and other alternatives. It is the world’s only safe, stable, sustainable, eco-friendly and economic alternative to cyanide and strong acids for the extraction of gold.

Can you outline the environmental benefits of EnviroLeach’s chemical process?

EnviroLeach’s solution, which is based on water-based chemistry containing a number of safe-for-human ingredients, is prepared electrochemically. That helps to maintain the ability to reuse the formula over and over. Cyanide products are usually not recyclable; our solution does not create a water effluent stream and requires no tailings detoxification process like cyanide. No fluid leaves the plant and goes into the stream. It has an environmental footprint of zero.

What type of mining companies has EnviroLeach worked with?

We currently deal with four of the top 10 mining producers in the world and another important mining company here in British Columbia. Those form the core group that EnviroLeach works with for collaboration, research and pilot plant development.

Can you elaborate on the risks of cyanide and how the EnviroLeach formula positively affects its usability in mining? 

Cyanide has been the predominant method because it has been the most economical solution for the last 100 years. Many jurisdictions have banned the use of it based on environmental concerns and safety issues.  With the environment a top priority, the industry needs alternatives. Many other chemical processes have been developed that have been tried and have failed. The EnviroLeach solution means access to gold reserves which were not previously accessible.

What are the economic benefits of EnviroLeach’s process?

There is no need for a cyanide destruct circuit and no concern regarding the pH levels of the cyanide going below a certain level and producing hydrogen cyanide gas. Cost of chemistry is comparable to cyanide considering that the solution is completely recyclable. A vast amount of time is spent on permitting when there is construction of a new mine. Today, obtaining permits for the use of cyanide is very difficult and some jurisdictions have outlawed the use of cyanide entirely. Many believe that the use of cyanide is going to disappear within ten years.

How much gold can be produced from urban mining?

The average grade of gold mines around the word is less than 5 grams per ton. We see E-Waste with an excess of 100 g/mt. The beauty is that we do not have to go underground for it. It is delivered to us in containers that come from all around the globe.

There are 380 tons of gold going into electronics annually and less than 20% of that is being recycled. A lot of money is going into landfills. There is C$62 billion worth of precious metals that can be recovered. The carbon footprint of 1 oz gold recycled from E-Waste is less than the equal of gold produced by conventional mining. Essentially, there is a tremendous environmental advantage here.

Moving forward, what is EnviroLeach’s strategy for growth?

Regarding E-Waste, we have excellent partnerships, which include some of the largest recyclers, electronic manufacturers and smelters in the world. We have the ability to set up these plants globally. We will be able to build them anywhere that is light-industrial.

Mining is one of the least innovative sectors and therefore has a lot of room for development and growth. EnviroLeach is focused on the larger gold producers as they have the means and credibility to move our technology forward. In addition to tapping into preciously untouchable resources, our process reduces the environmental regulations burden. Social responsibility is a huge part of mining and we are proud to be a part of lowering the negative impact on the environment.